Connector system

Abstract

A connector system facilitates the connection of a first tree trunk to a second tree trunk of an artificial tree system. The connector system can prohibit rotation of the first tree trunk relative to the second tree trunk.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An artificial tree comprising:
 a first tree section including trunk having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end having an aperture;   a sleeve, the sleeve comprising:
 an upper end having a first inner diameter, the upper end configured to receive the lower end of the first trunk section, 
 a lower end having a second inner diameter, the upper end configured to receive a portion of an artificial tree, 
 an aperture in the upper end, and
 a rotation locking mechanism; and 
 
 a second tree trunk section comprising a hollow, the hollow end of the second tree trunk section configured to at least partially receive the lower end of the first tree trunk section, and 
   a securement device configured to inserted into the aperture of the first tree section and the aperture of the sleeve to secure the sleeve to the first tree section.   
     
     
         2 . The artificial tree of  claim 1 , wherein the second inner diameter greater is than the first inner diameter, and wherein the second inner diameter is approximately equal to or greater than an outer diameter of the hollow end of the second tree trunk section. 
     
     
         3 . The artificial tree of  claim 1 , wherein the first trunk section further comprises an outwardly extending member, the outwardly extending member extending normal to the first tree trunk section. 
     
     
         4 . The artificial tree of  claim 3 , wherein the first outwardly extending member comprises a bolt mounted on the first tree trunk section and the second outwardly extending member comprises a bolt mounted on the second tree trunk section. 
     
     
         5 . The artificial tree of  claim 4 , wherein the sleeve further comprises a first cutout extending from an end of the sleeve. 
     
     
         6 . The artificial tree of  claim 5 , wherein the first cutout is U-shaped. 
     
     
         7 . The artificial tree of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve further comprises a shoulder between the first inner diameter and the second inner diameter. 
     
     
         8 . The artificial tree of  claim 1 , wherein the first inner diameter of the sleeve is approximately equal to an inner diameter of the second tree trunk section. 
     
     
         9 . The artificial tree of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve abuts at least a portion of an external wall of the first tree trunk section, and wherein the sleeve is configured to resist deformation of the first tree trunk section. 
     
     
         10 . An artificial tree comprising:
 a first tree trunk section comprising an outwardly extending member, the outwardly extending member extending normal to the first tree trunk section;   a second tree trunk section comprising a receiving portion, the receiving portion of the second tree trunk section configured to at least partially receive the first tree trunk section; and   a sleeve disposed on an outer surface of the extending portion, the sleeve comprising:   a cutout that is operable to at least partially receive and engage the outwardly extending member to provide vertical alignment of the first tree trunk section with the second tree trunk section during use.   
     
     
         11 . The artificial tree of  claim 10 , wherein the cutout extends from an end of the sleeve. 
     
     
         12 . The artificial tree of  claim 10 , wherein the outwardly extending member is a first outwardly extending member, and the artificial tree further comprises a second outwardly extending member extending normal to the second tree trunk section. 
     
     
         13 . The artificial tree of  claim 12 , wherein the cutout is a first cutout, the sleeve further comprises a second cutout, and wherein the second cutout is configured to receive the second outwardly extending member to thereby provide the vertical alignment of the first tree trunk section with the second tree trunk section during use. 
     
     
         14 . The artificial tree of  claim 10 , wherein the cutout is U-shaped. 
     
     
         15 . The artificial tree of  claim 10 , wherein the outwardly extending member comprises a bolt mounted on the first tree trunk section. 
     
     
         16 . The artificial tree of  claim 10 , wherein the sleeve abuts at least a portion of an external wall of the first tree trunk section, the sleeve configured to resist deformation of the first tree trunk section. 
     
     
         17 . An artificial tree comprising:
 a first tree trunk section;   a second tree trunk section including a hollow end comprising two or more apertures;   a sleeve configured to at least partially insert into the hollow end of the second tree trunk section and configured to at least partially receive a portion of the first tree trunk section, wherein the hollow end of the second tree trunk section is configured to at least partially receive the insert, such that, at least two of the two or more apertures of the second tree trunk section align with at least two of the two or more apertures of the insert.   
     
     
         18 . The artificial tree of  claim 17 , wherein a securement device is disposed between the at least two of the two or more apertures of the insert and at least two of the two or more apertures of the second tree trunk section. 
     
     
         19 . The artificial tree of  claim 17 , wherein the hollow end of the second tree trunk section comprises an extending member, the extending member extending normal to the second tree trunk section. 
     
     
         20 . The artificial tree of  claim 19 , wherein the insert comprises a notch configured to receive the extending member, such that, upon insertion of the extending member into the notch, a rotation locking characteristic is provided between the first tree trunk section and the second tree trunk section.